Kroger is working to replace two existing locations in Butler County with new Marketplace stores.
The Cincinnati-based company is working to have two new stores in West Chester and Liberty townships under construction in spring 2017, Kroger spokeswoman Patty Leesman told the Journal-News today.
Coming to the corner of Ohio 747 and Tylersville Road in West Chester Twp. will be a 133,000-square-foot Marketplace, part of the first phase of Crossings of Beckett. That phase of the shopping plaza also will include a fuel pump station, Fred Meyer Jewelers and a small medical clinic, plus an additional 15,000 square feet of retail space next to Kroger and three outlots along Ohio 747.
A second phase plan calls for 42,000 square feet of retail space, 22,000 square feet of office space and three additional outlots along Ohio 747.
The new Kroger will replace a 71,000-square-foot location at Ohio 747 and and Smith Road in the Beckett Commons shopping center.
Coming to Ohio 4 and Kyles Station Road will be a 133,868-square-foot Kroger Marketplace, which will replace a 57,000-square-foot storefront that Kroger started leasing at 5420 Liberty-Fairfield Road in 1998.
Both stores had been in the works but were held up by resident concerns.
In February, West Chester Twp. trustees approved a consent decree plan for the new Kroger with developer Silverman & Company and property owners.
Silverman & Company presented plans to the township in late 2012, but residents railed against the development, citing concerns of increased light, noise, pollution and traffic. The Blue Ash-based developer then withdrew the proposed zoning change after the commission suggested denial.
Plans went before West Chester Twp. gain in 2014 but were again delayed when trustees denied the project because of lack of an adequate buffer in the first phase and no guarantee from the developer that the buffer or even a planned second phase of development would occur.
In addition, residents turned out to township trustees meetings voice concerns over increased noise, lighting, traffic, crime and decreased property values.
Liberty Twp. residents in 2015 expressed similar concerns for that location.
